Boat Buoyancy Tube Retention

ABSTRACT

A system and method of installing an outer cover over a buoyancy tube associated with a rigid hull buoyant boat includes installing a first portion of an outer cover onto the rigid hull buoyant boat, the first portion including a plurality of grommets. A second portion of the outer cover is installed onto the rigid hull buoyant boat, the second portion including a plurality of female connective elements, each female connective element associated with a male connective element. The first portion is connected to the second portion such that the first and second covers enclose the buoyancy tube, wherein connecting includes inserting each of the male connective elements through their associated grommet to be further received by their associated female connective element.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/568,927 filed Dec. 9, 2011, entitled “Boat Buoyancy Tube Retention,” which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to tube retention for a boat, and more particularly to a system and method of covering a buoyancy tube/fender for a rigid hull buoyant boat.

BACKGROUND ART

Based on the concept of a rigid hull inflatable boat that has an inflatable collar that allows the vessel to maintain buoyancy even if a large quantity of water is shipped aboard due to bad sea conditions, a rigid hull buoyant boat includes solid foam buoyancy/fender tube(s). The handling of a rigid hull buoyant boat is similar to that of a rigid hull inflatable boat in that they tend to remain afloat even when flooded.

Conventional systems and methods of installing a cover over the buoyancy tube(s) of a rigid hull buoyant boat are generally complicated and typically involve various moving parts that are subject to failure. Proper tension between the cover and the buoyance tube must be achieved. Exemplary systems and methodologies may require vacuuming out the foam tube prior to installation of the cover, with the foam eventually expanding to achieve proper tension of the cover over the foam tube.

SUMMARY OF THE EMBODIMENTS

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a method of installing an outer cover over a buoyancy tube associated with a rigid hull buoyant boat includes installing a first portion of an outer cover onto the rigid hull buoyant boat, the first portion including a plurality of grommets. A second portion of the outer cover is installed onto the rigid hull buoyant boat, the second portion including a plurality of female connective elements, each female connective element associated with a male connective element. The first portion is connected to the second portion such that the first and second covers enclose the buoyancy tube, wherein connecting includes inserting each of the male connective elements through their associated grommet to be further received by their associated female connective element.

In accordance with related embodiments of the invention, the buoyancy tube may be made of foam. Connecting may include adjusting each of the mail connective elements in relation to their associated female connective element to provide a desired outer cover tension. The first portion of the outer cover may include a bolt rope, wherein installing the first portion of the outer cover onto the rigid hull buoyant boat includes sliding the bolt rope through a groove in the hull of the boat. The second portion of the outer cover may include a bolt rope, wherein installing the second portion of the outer cover onto the rigid hull buoyant boat includes sliding the bolt rope through a groove in the hull of the boat. The buoyant tube may be installed onto the rigid hull buoyant boat prior to installing the first and second portions of the outer cover. The male and female connective elements may form a wire tie connection, a tie cable connection, a zip tie connection, a tie cable connection, a zip tie connection and/or a tie wrap connection.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a system for covering a buoyancy tube associated with a rigid hull buoyant boat is provided. The system includes a first portion of an outer cover removably coupled to a hull of the boat, the first portion including a plurality of grommets. A second portion of an outer cover is removably coupled to the hull of the boat, the second portion including a plurality of female connective elements, each female connective element associated with a male connective element. The first portion is connectable to the second portion via the male and female connective elements such that the first and second covers enclose the buoyancy tube, wherein connecting the first and second portions includes inserting each of the male connective elements through their associated grommet to be further received by their associated female connective element.

In accordance with related embodiments of the invention, the buoyancy tube may be made of foam. The male and female connective elements may be adjustable when connected to provide a desired outer cover tension. The first portion of the outer cover may include a bolt rope, wherein the first portion of the outer cover is installed onto the rigid hull buoyant boat by sliding the bolt rope through a groove in the hull of the boat. The second portion of the outer cover may include a bolt rope, wherein the second portion of the outer cover is installed onto the rigid hull buoyant boat by sliding the bolt rope through a groove in the hull of the boat. The male and female connective elements may form a wire tie connection, a tie cable connection, a zip tie connection, a tie cable connection, a zip tie connection and/or a tie wrap connection.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, an outer cover for a buoyancy tube associated with a rigid hull buoyant boat is provided. The cover includes a first portion including a plurality of grommets and a bolt rope, wherein the first portion of the outer cover is installed onto the rigid hull buoyant boat by sliding the bolt rope through a groove in the hull of the boat. A second portion of the outer cover includes a plurality of female connective elements, each female connective element associated with a male connective element. The second portion further includes a bolt rope, wherein the second portion of the outer cover is installed onto the rigid hull buoyant boat by sliding the bolt rope through a groove in the hull of the boat. The first portion is connectable to the second portion via the male and female connective elements such that the first and second covers enclose the buoyancy tube. This is accomplished by inserting each of the male connective elements through their associated grommet to be further received by their associated female connective element. The male and female connective elements when connected are adjustable so as to provide a desired outer cover tension. In various embodiments, the male and female connective elements may form a wire tie connection, a tie cable connection, a zip tie connection, a tie cable connection, a zip tie connection and/or a tie wrap connection.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing features of embodiments will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description, taken with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a rigid hull buoyant boat that includes a cover installed over a buoyancy tube, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 2( a) and 2(b) show a rigid hull of a boat, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 shows a portion of the boat with the buoyancy tube installed, and furthermore, with the cover enclosing the buoyancy tube, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 shows in more detail a first portion of the cover attached to a rigid hull, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 shows in more detail a second portion of the cover attached to a rigid hull, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 shows connected first and second cover portions, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 7( a) and 7(b) show more detailed views of connected first and second cover portions, respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

In illustrative embodiments of the invention, a system and method of installing and/or removing an outer cover for a buoyancy tube associated with a rigid hull buoyant boat is provided. Embodiments of the invention advantageously allow for relatively simple and failure free installation of the outer cover over the buoyancy tube while providing proper tension between the cover and the buoyancy. Details are discussed below.

FIG. 1 shows a rigid hull buoyant boat that includes a cover installed over a buoyancy tube, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The buoyancy tube may be, without limitation, made of foam. In various embodiments of the invention, the buoyancy tube may be utilized as a fender alone, or in combination with its use for buoyancy. The cover and/or the buoyancy tube is typically, but not necessarily, removably attached to the rigid hull of the boat.

FIGS. 2( a) and 2(b) show the rigid hull 201 of a boat, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The hull 201 includes one or more tracks 205 and 207 that include grooves for receiving bolt ropes associated with portion(s) of a cover for a buoyancy tube. It is to be understood that the various cover portions may be installed onto the hull in other manners known in the art. The hull 201 also includes, without limitation a track 203 for use in installing the buoyancy tube, in accordance with various embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 3 shows a portion of the boat with the buoyancy tube installed, and furthermore, with the cover enclosing the buoyancy tube, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The cover includes a first portion 301 and a second portion 303, each installed, without limitation, by sliding their bolt rope through associated tracks/grooves in the rigid hull. In preferred embodiments, the first portion 301 and the second portion 303 of the cover are, without limitation, initially not integral or connected in any manner, but rather are distinct portions that are physically separate from each other.

FIG. 4 shows in more detail the first portion of the cover attached to the rigid hull, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 5 shows in more detail the second portion of the cover attached to the rigid hull, and which in this view, overlaps and is velcroed to the first portion. In FIG. 5, the second cover portion that is showing can be lifted to expose the connection between the first and second cover portions.

In illustrative embodiments of the invention, FIG. 6 shows the connected first and second cover portions 603 and 601, respectively, while FIGS. 7( a) and 7(b) show more detailed views of the connected first and second cover portions 603 and 601, respectively. The first cover portion 603 includes a plurality of grommets 605 and/or cringles, while the second cover portion includes a plurality of female connective elements 607, each female connective element 607 associated with a male connective element 609. For example, and without limitation, the connective element may form a wire tie or similar connection (e.g., also referred to as a tie cable, zip tie and/or tie-wrap). The first cover portion 603 is connected to the second portion 605 via the male and female connective elements, such that the first and second covers 603 and 605 enclose the buoyancy tube. Connecting the first and second portions 603 and 605 may include, without limitation, inserting each of the male connective elements 609 through their associated grommet 605 to be further received by their associated female connective element 607.

In accordance with various embodiments of the invention, with the buoyancy tube and the first and second cover portions 603 and 601 already attached to the rigid hull, as discussed above, the first and second covers 603 and 601 may be drawn over the buoyancy tube. The male connective element 609 of the wire ties may then be routed through their associated grommet 605 and inserted into their associated female connective element 609. Advantageously, the male connective elements 609 can be drawn through the female connective elements 607 to provide a desired outer cover tension over the buoyancy tube. In various embodiments, each of the connective elements may be adjusted (e.g., tightened) incrementally/slightly (e.g., with the wire ties locking each male connective element in place as they are inserted further and further into their associated female connective element), and then the process repeated, to obtain an even method of gradually tensioning the cover.

To remove and/or replace the buoyancy tube, the male connective element 609 may be cut or/otherwise removed, releasing the first and second cover portions 603 and 601 from each other. To reinstall the same or different buoyancy tube, in various embodiments, a new male connective element may be used in conjunction with the female connective element.

Note that in lieu of wire ties, various embodiments of the invention may use line/rope to attach the first and second covers. The line may be attached to one of the cover portions, and then looped through the associated grommet on the other cover. Both first and second cover portions may include grommets through which the line may be looped. However, this methodology may be less desirable/more complicated than the above-described embodiments in achieving even tension across the cover portions.

The embodiments of the invention described above are intended to be merely exemplary; numerous variations and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. All such variations and modifications are intended to be within the scope of the present invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of installing an outer cover over a buoyancy tube associated with a rigid hull buoyant boat, the method comprising: installing a first portion of an outer cover onto the rigid hull buoyant boat, the first portion including a plurality of grommets; installing a second portion of the outer cover onto the rigid hull buoyant boat, the second portion including a plurality of female connective elements, each female connective element associated with a male connective element; connecting the first portion to the second portion such that the first and second covers enclose the buoyancy tube, wherein connecting includes inserting each of the male connective elements through their associated grommet to be further received by their associated female connective element.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the buoyancy tube is made of foam.
 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein connecting includes adjusting each of the mail connective elements in relation to their associated female connective element to provide a desired outer cover tension.
 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first portion of the outer cover includes a bolt rope, and wherein installing the first portion of the outer cover onto the rigid hull buoyant boat includes sliding the bolt rope through a groove in the hull of the boat.
 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second portion of the outer cover includes a bolt rope, and wherein installing the second portion of the outer cover onto the rigid hull buoyant boat includes sliding the bolt rope through a groove in the hull of the boat.
 6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising installing the buoyant tube onto the rigid hull buoyant boat prior to installing the first and second portions of the outer cover.
 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the male and female connective elements form a connector selected from the group consisting of a wire tie connection, a tie cable connection, a zip tie connection, a tie cable connection, a zip tie connection and a tie wrap connection.
 8. A system for covering a buoyancy tube associated with a rigid hull buoyant boat, the system including: a first portion of an outer cover removably coupled to a hull of the boat, the first portion including a plurality of grommets; and a second portion of the outer cover removably coupled to the hull of the boat, the second portion including a plurality of female connective elements, each female connective element associated with a male connective element, the first portion connectable to the second portion via the male and female connective elements such that the first and second covers enclose the buoyancy tube, wherein connecting the first and second portions includes inserting each of the male connective elements through their associated grommet to be further received by their associated female connective element.
 9. The system according to claim 8, wherein the buoyancy tube is made of foam.
 10. The system according to claim 8, wherein the male and female connective elements when connected are adjustable so as to provide a desired outer cover tension.
 11. The system according to claim 8, wherein the first portion of the outer cover includes a bolt rope, and wherein the first portion of the outer cover is installed onto the rigid hull buoyant boat by sliding the bolt rope through a groove in the hull of the boat.
 12. The system according to claim 8, wherein the second portion of the outer cover includes a bolt rope, and wherein the second portion of the outer cover is installed onto the rigid hull buoyant boat by sliding the bolt rope through a groove in the hull of the boat.
 13. The system according to claim 8, wherein the male and female connective elements form a connector selected from the group consisting of a wire tie connection, a tie cable connection, a zip tie connection, a tie cable connection, a zip tie connection and a tie wrap connection.
 14. A outer cover for a buoyancy tube associated with a rigid hull buoyant boat, the cover including: a first portion for removably coupling to a hull of the boat, the first portion including a plurality of grommets and a bolt rope, wherein the first portion of the outer cover is installed onto the rigid hull buoyant boat by sliding the bolt rope through a groove in the hull of the boat; and a second portion for removably coupling to the hull of the boat, the second portion including a plurality of female connective elements, each female connective element associated with a male connective element, the second portion of the further including a bolt rope, wherein the second portion of the outer cover is installed onto the rigid hull buoyant boat by sliding the bolt rope through a groove in the hull of the boat, wherein the first portion is connectable to the second portion via the male and female connective elements such that the first and second covers enclose the buoyancy tube, wherein connecting the first and second portions includes inserting each of the male connective elements through their associated grommet to be further received by their associated female connective element, and wherein the male and female connective elements when connected are adjustable so as to provide a desired outer cover tension.
 15. The outer cover according to claim 14, wherein the male and female connective elements form a connector selected from the group consisting of a wire tie connection, a tie cable connection, a zip tie connection, a tie cable connection, a zip tie connection and a tie wrap connection. 